RESEARCH DATA:

This textile from the collection is a loincloth or baal, which can also function as a belt (balikes/barikes). It is commonly worn by Tinguian or Itneg men of Abra. The piece features finely woven X and diamond motifs in indigo and yellow, arranged vertically in an alternating pattern throughout the textile. In addition, there are thirty red stripes and fourteen thin yellow lines woven in zigzag-like patterns running from warp end to warp end, intersecting with the X and diamond motifs. Near the bottom of the loincloth, horizontal stripes of yellow brocade-woven zigzag patterns resembling python skin (Respicio, 2000) intersect the vertical stripes, merging colors and designs. The bottom part with these horizontal patterns is bordered by embroidery designs. Similar embroidery, identified as the pineapple motif (Pastor-Roces & Philippines Intramuros Administration Museum Division, 1985), is also found on textiles with fuller forms.